News

Duluth School Superintendent Given More Power Over District Regulations

This comes after the school board voted last night following a recommendation from the Minnesota School Board Association.

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth School Superintendent John Magas will continue to have executive power over the Duluth School Board during the 2021-2022 school year when it comes to the safety of students related to Covid-19. This comes after the school board voted last night following a recommendation from the Minnesota School Board Association. Magas says, he is looking to maximize…

American Red Cross Helps Greenwood Fire Shelters

LAKE COUNTY- The American Red Cross is staffing the Greenwood Fire temporary evacuation point, located at the Finland Community Center. The site is set up to help residents who are evacuating near the greenwood fire. Volunteers are supplying food, water, and medical help for people being temporarily displaced from their homes. As of today, nearly 80 homes and campsites have…

Firefighters on Scene of New Fire Detected Near Britt

BRITT, Minn. – A new fire was detected near Britt Wednesday afternoon and was estimated to be nearly 25 acres in size. The fire, named the Moose Lake fire, is located in the Lake Leander area, according to the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest Facebook page. Seven aircraft, heavy equipment, and engines were previously on the scene to help contain…

Minnesota Issues Plan to Treat Water Marred by 3M Chemicals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials have released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co. The long-term plan aims to build or improve six water treatment plants and treat 33 municipal wells. It will also connect nearly…

Source: Biden to Require Vaccines for Nursing Home Staff

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration will require that nursing home staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for those facilities to continue receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding. Biden will announce the move Wednesday afternoon in a White House address as the administration continues to look for ways to use mandates to encourage vaccine holdouts to get shots….

Garth Brooks Cancels Tour Dates Due to COVID Surge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Garth Brooks is canceling his remaining stadium tour dates in five cities due to rising COVID-19 cases. Brooks had said weeks ago that he would be reassessing the tour in light of the surge in cases. Tickets will be refunded for shows scheduled in Cincinnati; Charlotte, North Carolina; Baltimore; Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Nashville, Tennessee….

TSA Extends Into January Mask Rule for Airline Passengers

(AP) – Federal officials are extending into January a requirement that people on airline flights and public transportation wear face masks, a rule intended to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Transportation Security Administration’s current order was scheduled to expire on Sept. 13. An agency spokesman said Tuesday that the mandate will be extended until Jan. 18. The TSA briefed…

Registration Now Open for 23rd Annual Cause for the Paws 5k

Proceeds from the Event Benefit the Humane Society of Douglas County

SUPERIOR, Wis. – As the dog days of summer set in, the Humane Society of Douglas County in Superior invites you to sign up for their upcoming 23rd annual Cause for the Paws 5k Walk/Run. This year the event is happening Saturday, September 18 from 8 a.m. until noon. The fun takes place at the entrance to Barker’s Island in…

Proctor Middle School Teacher Arrested for Alleged Criminal Sexual Conduct

PROCTOR, Minn. – A 51-year-old teacher at a Proctor middle school was arrested Tuesday afternoon on pending charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the Duluth Police Department, the teacher was booked in the St. Louis County Jail and is awaiting formal charges. According to Proctor Schools Superintendent John Engelking, the teacher “is employed by the school district, but…

Minnesota State Fair Not Requiring Masks Inside Most Buildings

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota State Fair attendees will not be required to wear masks inside buildings on the fairgrounds during this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together. Fair organizers were considering mandating masks indoors, however, the latest guidance released Wednesday says masks are recommended inside most buildings, but not required. They are also recommending people wear masks outdoors in…

US Health Officials Call for Booster Shots Against COVID-19

NEW YORK – U.S. health officials are recommending all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots. The plan, as outlined by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top health authorities, calls for booster doses eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The booster doses could begin the week of…

Three People Rescued After Boats Gets Stuck in Beaver River

FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Three people were rescued Tuesday evening after their boats became stuck in the mud and heavy vegetation in Beaver River, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Around 8:36 p.m. first responders and law enforcement responded to reports of two boaters getting stuck while boating on the river in Fredenberg Township. While waiting for authorities…

City Unveils Design Concepts For Waterfront Property Behind DECC

DULUTH, Minn.– The city of Duluth gave a first look Tuesday at what could soon be a new multi-million dollar overhaul of an experience behind the DECC, which has one of the city’s most pristine views of the waterfront and arguably one of the least invested. The new vision between the Great Lakes Aquarium and Minnesota Slip Bridge involves the…

Essentia Offering 3rd COVID Vaccine to Immunocompromised Patients

DULUTH, Minn.– A third COVID vaccine dose was approved by the FDA at this time for patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Essentia Health announced today that they will be taking part in providing this third dose to those who are immunocompromised, and suggest receiving a dose of the same vaccine product patients received earlier, 8 months after their…

New Apartments to Help Homeless with Mental Health Issues

DULUTH, Minn.– People in Duluth who are homeless and battling mental health issues now have a new supportive housing development as an option to improve their lives. It’s called the Birchwood apartments located on Burning Tree Road in Duluth. The 30-unit one bedroom apartments are mostly furnished, and roughly 100 person have already inquired to live there. The $7 million…

Heritage Center Hosts Hockey Camp

DULUTH, Minn.-Despite the warm temperatures outside, kids are getting the chance to still enjoy winter sports like hockey at the Heritage Sports Center. This week they are hosting a camp focused on power skating so youth can build up those skills before the upcoming season. “If nothing else, we want them to feel more confident on their feet,” said Christian…

Vintage Sports Camps Continue

DULUTH, Minn.-Vintage Sports Camps are continuing this summer despite the pandemic. The director of the camp says the aim of them is to get kids out of the house and away from those electronics, while also taking part in some old school sports like dragon boat racing and dodge ball. “Part of what we are doing is not only teaching…

Local Agencies Discuss Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Plan

This year's scenario went over the coast guard's plan of handling a bomb going off on a cruise ship.

DULUTH, Minn. — 37 organizations and agencies met in Duluth on Tuesday to go over what their roles would be in a mass disaster situation. This year’s scenario went over the Coast Guard’s plan of handling a bomb going off on a cruise ship. Each agency, such as police, fire, the sheriff’s office, and more went over how roles would…

Extreme Dry Conditions Following Greenwood Fire

DULUTH, Minn.- Fires in the Northland continue to pose a threat, bringing a risk of dry conditions to surrounding areas of the greenwood fire. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Greenwood fire continues to cover around 2000 acres. The number of evacuated residents in the area is growing while first responders work to contain the fire. Local fire officials are concerned…

Superior School Board Brings Back Masks

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior School Board has made multiple decisions about the upcoming school year, including which students need to wear masks. The school board determined that grades k-12 will be back full-time for in-person learning. Masks will be required for all elementary school students and staff until each student is vaccinated. Masks are optional for middle and high school…

Authorities Attack Minnesota Wildfire From Air and Ground

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities are fighting a northeastern Minnesota wildfire from the air and on the ground following the evacuation of about 75 residences in the Superior National Forest. The fire was first spotted Sunday near Greenwood Lake. It has expanded to about 3.1 square miles. The Minnesota National Guard is assisting in the firefighting efforts; warm weather and gusty…

Full Business Liquidation Auction Planned for Gannucci’s

DULUTH, Minn. -West Duluth’s Gannucci’s Italian Market & Restaurant is holding a full business liquidation next week. According to a Facebook post by Nordic Auction, a full business liquidation auction will be held on Wednesday, August 25 at 301 North Central Avenue beginning at 4:00 p.m. Gannucci’s, originally named Conito’s Italian Village, was established in 1976 and was renamed Ganucci’s…

Superior School Board Votes to Require Masks for Elementary Students

SUPERIOR, Wis. – On Monday, the Superior School Board voted to require masks for elementary students for the upcoming school year. Additionally, all students and staff will be required to wear a mask while using Superior public transportation. During Monday night’s meeting, the school board said they also recommend the use of school cafeterias again. Current CDC guidelines recommend universal…

Mark Pavelich Rememberance Golf Scramble

BIWABIK, Minn.– Today at Giants Ridge Golf Course in Biwabik Minnesota, members of Minnesota college hockey teams, current and former NHL players, and teammates of the 1980 Olympic gold medal team came together in memory of Mark Pavelich, who passed earlier this year after a battle to mental illness. “Mark was just a special guy, and he was a great…

Fill the Boot Campaign Returns

DULUTH, Minn.– With boots in hand, the Duluth Fire Department took the streets of the city today for the annual fill the boot campaign. The department is raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this year after the event was canceled last year. The ‘Fill the Boot’ program has gone on for 67 years where the International Association of Fire…

US to Recommend COVID Vaccine Boosters at 8 Months

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. experts are expected to recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for all Americans, regardless of age, eight months after they received their second dose of the shot. The goal is to ensure lasting protection against the coronavirus as the delta variant spreads across the country. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The…

Council Approves Outsourcing Duluth’s $1.8M Tourism Marketing Contract

Councilors also voted to table a $400K contract offer to Visit Duluth to handle the city's convention sales and visitor center.

DULUTH, Minn. –  The city council made a historic vote Monday evening to approve a new $1.8 million tourism marketing contract to a firm in Minneapolis – Bellmont Partners and its partner Lawrence & Schiller — instead of Visit Duluth, which has held the job since 1935. Councilor Joel Sipress voted against the contract resolution.  Councilor Zack Filipovich abstained because…

Third Suspect Charged In St. Paul Man’s Murder After Body Found At Bottom Of Lake

COOK COUNTY, Minn. — A third person has been charged in connection to the murder of a St. Paul man whose body was found dismembered at the bottom of Lake Superior this summer. Jacob Colt Johnson, a 35-year-old from Superior, was charged with intentional but not premeditated second-degree murder in the Cook County district court on Monday. Two other suspects…

Duluth Airport Hosting Pre-check Pop-Up Event This Week

DULUTH, Minn.-This week, the Duluth Airport is inviting future passengers to enroll in the TSA pre-check screening program during a pop-up event. The program allows low-risk air travelers to go through a quicker screening process where they don’t have to remove their shoes, laptops or even take off belts. Those with the airport say it will make the traveling process…

Lake County Search and Rescue Helps First Responders in Greenwood Fire

LAKE COUNTY- Among the many first responders at the Greenwood fire staging area was the Lake County Search and Rescue squad. The medically trained volunteers were preparing their station with medical supplies, food, and water for all of the firefighters tackling the flames. Squad member Bob Norlen, a search and rescue volunteer for 46 years, is setting up for any…

Ex-Wisconsin Teacher to Pleads Guilty to Filming Students

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A former Wisconsin high school teacher accused of secretly videotaping undressed students during field trips in Wisconsin and Minnesota pleaded guilty in federal court Monday, under a plea deal with prosecutors. Thirty-nine-year-old David M. Kruchten faces six to 20 years in prison, after pleading guilty to two federal charges. Sentencing has been set for Oct. 22….

Wildfire in Northeastern Minnesota Grows to 1,500 Acres

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A rapidly growing wildfire in northeastern Minnesota has expanded to at least 1,500 acres and prompted some evacuations. The fire was spotted around 3 p.m. Sunday near Greenwood Lake, about 15 miles southwest of Isabella, in the Superior National Forest. Officials say the cause has not been determined. Authorities ordered cabin and property owners in the area…

Body of Missing Roseville Man Recovered on Sand Lake

SAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Authorities say they located and recovered the body of a Roseville man that had been missing since Thursday on Sand Lake. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Philip Poulose and a friend were canoeing on the lake when water started to flood their canoe due to high winds. According to reports, Philip…

Midday Update 8-16-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, August 16, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, August 16, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, ryan johnson, weather

Biden to Address Nation on Deadly Chaos in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden is returning to the White House Monday to address the nation on the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan. This, as the planned withdrawal of American forces, turned deadly at Kabul’s airport Monday as thousands tried to flee Afghanistan a day after the Taliban’s takeover of the country. The White House says Biden will travel back…

Minnesota Extends $100 Vaccine Incentives for Another Week

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota has extended its $100 reward program for people who get their COVID-19 vaccinations by another week. Any Minnesotan age 12 or older who gets their first shot through Sunday can claim a $100 Visa gift card at mn.gov/covid19/100. Gov. Tim Walz announced the extension Sunday night, calling the incentive program a success. According to…

More Than 140 Artists, Makers Setting Up at Bayfront Park Aug. 21, 22

Art in Bayfront Park Returns After a COVID-19 Prompted Hiatus in 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – Art in Bayfront Park is returning to Duluth for the 11th year on Saturday, August 21, and Sunday, August 22. Art lovers will find quality work from local and regional artists. Work includes jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, metalwork, glass, and more. More than 140 artists and makers will take part in this year’s event. The culinary market…